Gansler Talks Polls & Opponents In WBAL Appearance

Part one of Attorney General Doug Gansler's appearance on the C-4 Show. Download This File

Part two of Attorney General Doug Gansler's appearance on the C-4 Show. Download This File

Doug Gansler talks to C-4 on WBAL. (WBAL photo)

As early voting is about to get underway in Maryland, Attorney General Doug Gansler says he has internal polls that show the race for the Democratic nomination for governor is much closer than polls out this week indicate.

Gansler trails Lt. Governor Anthony Brown by 21-percent in a Baltimore Sun Poll out this week, and 23-percent in a Washington Post poll.

Gansler says his campaigns internal polls show that the race is much closer, and he says Tuesday night's defeat of U.S. House Majority Leader Eric Cantor is a sign that polls may not be accurate.

"The validity of those polls was just shown last night," Gansler told WBAL's C-4 Show on Wednesday.

"Cantor was 34-points ahead ten days ago and he lost by 12, so it was a 46-point swing."

Gansler says the race will get tighter as voters learn more about the candidates.

He says many voters are still surprised the primary is so early this year.

The primary was moved from September to June 24, so that the state has enough time to comply with a federal law that absentee ballots be sent to military and other Americans living overseas no later than 45 days before a federal election.

Gansler says there is "volatility" in a primary.

Gansler told WBAL News that voters are just starting to focus on the primary which is set for June 24.

Gansler said during the show that some voters are starting to learn about the candidates, including Delegate Heather Mizeur, who Gansler pointed out never graduated from college.

“I literally ran into a woman at the subway this morning that didn't know that Delegate Mizeur didn't graduate from college or was a lobbyist for her living,”Gansler said.

Gansler later added that not going to college, “doesn't mean you’re a bad person if you don’t. As I said, Delegate Mizeur is running for governor; she didn't graduate from college.”

"Today, one of our opponents leveled cheap personal attacks against Heather. It’s becoming increasingly obvious that our opponents are worried about the momentum of our campaign," Coates said in the email

Early voting starts Thursday and lasts until next Thursday.

Gansler appeared on the C-4 Show just two days after Brown appeared on the show. Brown said that there would not be a need for a tax increase in the "foreseeable future."

Gansler said that Brown, "doesn't have credibility" on the tax issue, because the O'Malley Brown Administration raised more than 40 taxes and fees over the last eight years.